Zelda: Ocarina of Time remake becomes 2026’s highest-rated game

Switch 2 remake of Ocarina of Time tops Metacritic’s 2026 game rankings with score of 96

The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time remake has become the highest-rated video game of 2026 so far, earning a Metascore of 96 on review aggregator Metacritic.

Released for the Nintendo Switch 2, the updated version of Nintendo's 1998 classic has also secured the 29th position on Metacritic's all-time highest-rated games list.

Its score places it ahead of several acclaimed titles, including The Last of Us, Grand Theft Auto: Vice City, Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas and Baldur's Gate II: Shadows of Amn.

The remake also sits three places above the original Gran Turismo, which was released for the PlayStation.

The achievement comes as Nintendo's reimagining has received strong critical recognition for updating the original experience while retaining the qualities that made the N64 release popular.

Although the remake introduces significant changes, its ability to recreate the sense of discovery and magic associated with the original has been highlighted in reviews.

The game currently leads the 2026 rankings, although the year's releases are not yet complete. Its position could change following the arrival of other major titles later in November.

The year has already included several notable releases for role-playing game fans, such as Nioh 3, Blood of the Dawnwalker and Gothic 1 Remake. October also saw The Witcher 3 receive a remake-related free upgrade for existing owners.

However, none of these titles has matched the remake's current Metacritic score.

With its 96 rating, Ocarina of Time has also returned to the upper ranks of Metacritic's all-time chart, placing the Switch 2 release among some of gaming's most highly rated titles.